Toward Computing with Spider Webs: Computational Setup Realization

Abstract

Spiders are able to extract crucial information, such as the location prey, predators, mates, and even broken threads from propagating web vibrations. The complex structure of the web suggests that the morphology itself might provide computational support in form of a mechanical signal processing system -often referred to as morphological computation. We present preliminary results on identifying these computational aspects in naturally spun webs. A recently presented definition for physical computational systems, consisting of three main elements: (i) a mathematical part, (ii) a computational setup with a theoretical and real part, and (iii) an interpretation, is employed for the first time, to characterize these morphological computation properties. Signal transmission properties of a real spider orb web, as the real part of a morphological computation setup, is investigated in response to step transverse inputs. The parameters of a lumped system model, as the theoretical part of a morphological computation setup, are identified empirically and with the help of an earlier FEM model for the same web. As the possible elements of a computational framework, the web transverse signal filtering, attenuation, delay, memory effect, and deformation modes are briefly discussed based on experimental data and numerical simulations.

TMTDyn: A Matlab package for modeling and control of hybrid rigid–continuum robots based on discretized lumped systems and reduced-order models

“…Setting dir = 1 in the package express that the springs are tension-only elements. We have used a similar method to model a spider web with TMTDyn recently (Sadati and Williams, 2018). A drawback of such assumptions is that the model does not capture the crumbling of the fabric between the mesh nodes.…”

A Matlab-Internal DSL for Modelling Hybrid Rigid-Continuum Robots with TMTDyn

“…This can be done by assuming the fabric as a net of equally distributed masses with connecting linear springs; a lumped-mass approximation of the fabric mesh. We have used a similar method to model a spider web with TMTDyn recently [30].…”

Exploration of the Design of Spiderweb-Inspired Structures for Vibration-Driven Sensing

“…This might also extend to their sensing properties. Previous works have explored the mechanical properties of spiderweb morphologies [ 15 ] while utilizing a variety of different fabrication and simulation methods [ 16 ]. Analysis of vibration signals showed that a web’s geometry and dynamics can improve the localization of prey through impact vibrations [ 10 ].…”

“…Analysis of vibration signals showed that a web’s geometry and dynamics can improve the localization of prey through impact vibrations [ 10 ]. Furthermore, by 3D printing spiderwebs, their nonlinear properties have been highlighted, their dynamic effects have been explored [ 17 ], and their potential to act as a physical reservoir for computation has been proposed [ 15 ]. The development of soft sensors inspired by web structures has straddled a range of different fabrication and sensing modalities.…”